Today Sony announced new compact cameras. The DSC-HX10V, DSC-HX20V, DSC-HX30V, DSC-HX200V, DSC-WX150, DSC-W690, DSC-TX66, DSC-TX20 and DSC-H90 (Click on the camera names to check the specs).
Nothing exciting but you should know that Sony is planning a big event on March 13th. I have been told by trusted sources that this is a major event that will not only launch the new A57 but also other new “stuff”. I am still not sure about the exact list of announced cameras. I heard about a new NEX-F3, new lenses and new NEX camcorders. Carl Garrard also got rumors about an A600 with optical viewfinder but my sources couldn’t confirm if the rumor is correct. There will be no new FF camera announcement but maybe Sony will show the A99 prototype too (that’s my speculation). And on March 29th Sony will announce the new [shoplink 8461]A77[/shoplink] and [shoplink 8459]A65[/shoplink] firmware too…
I kindly ask my sources if they can send me some more info about the March 13th event. It will help me to sort out the info I am getting now. Thanks!
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
123 Responses
Can ‘t wait for it, hope there’ll be a big surprise ala A600!
I think you are going to be disappointed.
Alpha shooters are used to disappointment by now, no need to remind them. No way an A600 is coming the more I think about Sony and the way they do things.
.enil fo dne
Art and suffering go hand in hand.
If we just wanted money in the bank, we’d all be shooting Canikon.
On the contrary, if we just wanted to keep our money, we would be drawing with pencil and paper, not buying cameras.
hope for more informations and Pictures about the a99
+1 I agree with the admin. I think a mockup or even a prototype of the a99 could be shown!
Superlong A77 prototype story do not inspire me…
I wonder when the successor to the nex-5n will be announced? I guess now I understand why the nex-c3 is being sold for $500 USD with the 16mm kit lens (costs $250 seperately), it’s to clear out the one’s they have now to make room for the new one. So I’m guessing that when the nex-5n announcement is on the horizon, then sony will probably offer the 5N with a 16mm kit lens for $600 USD. All this probably explains why the 16mm lens isn’t in stock in so many places until like late april, because they’re being used for bundles. I assume that’s when the 5N successor is to be announced?
Sry, I meant to say “when the announcement to the successor of the nex-5n is on the horizon, then sony will probably offer the 5N with a 16mm kit lens for $600 USD.”
Will there be the new 50/1.4za? I need it cause it will be a perfect portrait lens on a crop body. The 135/1.8 is just too long. And it seems meaningless for me to get the 85/1.4 because it is too close to 135 and does not have SSM. Without new zeiss, it is hard to resist the temptation of new full frame from Canikon.
Even without Zeiss it is easy to resist the temptation of Canikon because there is no temptation!
Sony pls put a FF sensor into A77, and name it A97…
why that ?
why? because i wan a sony FF … now…
but i know, i will be disappointed… ha
its not as simple as pulling out the sensor and putting a new one in. I’d rather wait for an updated A99 and not a crippled one with the A77’s inadequate buffer and response lag.
Do you own a A77?
i know… i am just saying…
i dun think A77 is so laggy or what…
buffer is definitely a bit small in A77.. but i can live with that ~
Consider the file size and shooting speed, I won’t say the A77 is low on buffer, rather say “can be better”.
Will there be any news or rumors about the new firmware of NEX-7 ?
16.2mp A600 with 2 wheels or 24mp A750 – this is the only 2 option which will keep me shooting with Sony and not change (first time in my life after 20 years with Minolta/Sony)to Nikon/Canon – NO SLT 4 ME (EVF is for video cameras only!!!)
Enjoy your Canon/Nikon. 😉
@ AnYpHoTo: +1 ! Me too 😉
So, just to be clear, if there is no OVF announced on the 13th of March, you will not be commenting here any more and instead buying a Canon/Nikon?
@SonyA77: Probably, or I will save a lot of money and just buy a used Alpha 580/900 DSLR at eBay from all those convinced SLT up-graders around the world 😉
A580 or A900, which is it? They are completely different. 😀 (yes I know what you meant!)
After 20 yrs with Minolta/Sony you should have a list of good stuff for sale then.
Any Zeiss /G lenses?
😉
Get in line!
What happens when Canikon introduces EVF? Cause if they are a hit then you know they will follow. I admit I like my OVF but the EVF of the a77 is really not all that bad.
did you at least try the new EVF? i bet not 😉
That’s what they said about the first digital cameras as well. “not for me.. not for pro’s” And now every pro is shooting digital.
Same thing will happen with EVF. Just a question of time until the technology has matured, and the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
You’re probably right. But there isn’t a prize for being an early adopter.
Maybe I’ll come back to Sony or whoever in 5 years when EVF technology is better.
Actually there are.
When you shoot at dark, being able too see.
Or while focusing with the peaking aid.
Seeing what you will get wheb you press the shutter.
All prizes for early adopters.
most people are bitching that it ruins the experience of photography for them, that it feels detached from the subject- and I’m sure to an extent it does, but for professional assignments, particular events/weddings with changing light/wb, that EVF will be indispensable. I look forward to it on an FF body to accompany my A850, which I believe will become my camera of leisure (I love that mirror slap but my clients don’t)
I understand that concern, and it makes sense to a certain degree. But to me it seems like that reaction is more an emotional response to change in something we got used to rather than the philosophical buzzword detachment that people claim it to be.
The moment you are looking through the viewfinder, you are already detached! You are isolating the subject, framing it, capturing it to eternal freeze.
You always have your other eye to bring you back to reality if you want to…
But if you are shooting in the dark (country nights) or near dark, then once your put the EVF up to your eye you lose all your natural night vision (takes about 20 min to let your eyes adjust.)
I can not see a way around that problem when using EVFs. (even on very low brightness it would be a problem) Also I do find with on eye on the EVF and one on my subject it is hard for focus as the EVF is much closer. (I am not saying EVF will be a problem for most people or even a lot of the time but there are limitations. Just as there are limitations to the OVF.)
Transparent OLED screens I think could work someday in conjunction with OVF as an overlay or fully block the light from the lens for normal EVF viewing. Best of both worlds without having two cameras.
Not really. I didn’t like the a77 EVF when I tried it. My a850 has a large and bright viewfinder which I can see through just fine.
Not to mention that the EVF and the sensor have different dynamic range and colours, so “what you see is what you get” isn’t really true!
I never manually focus, so peaking is meaningless to me.
As I said, once the technology improves, it will convince me. But the full frame Sony cameras are going up against the a850/900 which have class-leading viewfinders. Not to mention the d800, d4 etc. The competition is much stiffer than at the APS-C level in terms of performance and viewfinder.
I see. Yes, that is definitely an issue. But when it’s really that dark you cannot really use the OVF either. Maybe a seriously dimmable EVF could help. Composing with LCD screen could be another option.
Yes, eventually new and cool things will emerge out of this. My bets are on that the optical path to viewfinder is not gonna be here for too long. When CDAF or something similar will beat the PDAF in speed, SLT and other mirrors will be done for.
David, your eye has a different dynamic range then the camera sensor… quite honestly you made quite a stupid point with the EVF vs Sensor dynamic range.
And i dont know about you but whenever I’m in a situation where AF is failing, i.e. shooting towards a bright light source, I’d love to have the option to quickly activate peaking, manually focus and get the shot, rather then hunt focus constantly.
@ItsaChris
You have two eyes, you’ll only lose night vision in one of them!
Come on solo… it was not a stupid point. EVF nor OVF is what you get in the final image, but when one expects the EVF to achieve this, then it is a disappointment.
and sony77 yes I only lose sight in one eye but its kinda like walking around with an eye patch (big round dark disk) after I stop using the camera. The OVF does work at night so I do not feel inspired to change.
I just fail to see how the EVF is a over all better option than the OVF (although it is prefect for cheap DSLRs and mirror-less). The only thing I would want to take from the EVF and add to an OVF is the live histogram.
Lenses, lenses and I hope more lenses….
Jack
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wrong reply button, deleted
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oops 🙂
King of ISO is coming! everyone is happy 😀
Yup, ISO in the hundreds of thousands…oh wait…
I just going to type that xD
haha good one
So, what IS the current king of ISO right now?
A Nikon.
Probably d3s. Likely the new d4 when it is released
If you meant Sony high ISO king, then it would be the a850/900 for absolute performance
Then the a580 or NEX-5N, slightly ahead of a55
Then NEX-7
Then a65/77
the NEX7 and A77 are better than the 5n for every single aspect of sensor performance. Realize that please.
Not exactly. The 5N is better for rangefinder lenses.
Sorry, the Nex 7 beats the A55 and about equals the A580 and 5n.
You have been going on and on about tethering in the past posts. Now you say that with high ISO, everyone will be happy? So, what if it doesn’t have tethering? You’re unhappy right? In another words, you have just contradicted yourself.
This model definitely do not have tether. omg, you remind me, now unhappy 😀
good, stay that way so that you have more to whine about
lol!
Peace on earth and some new NEX lenses (the G-line normal zoom and a tele prime), thats what I want.
World Peace organized by the World Photo Organization as a result of 35mm 1.8, 14mm 2.8 and 16mm 2
a99 with 24-105 f4 zeiss prototype please!
Maybe Sony will release their version of the G1X with fixed zoom lens.
that’d be cool!
although I had in hand a G1X earlier today and i must say they messed it up!
what looks like a focus/zoom ring on the lens in neither! it is just a ring that you take off to add on accessories! lame
hope sony will make something very simple with a fixed fast lens (no zoom, i can always dream)with a ring used for manual focus/AF override. and shape it old school.
dream on me dream on!
Hmm, again, it’s all about NEX…
I fear for the future of Alpha and fullframe at Sony.
On the other hand, why has Sony launched a 500/F4 lens ?
I really hope there will be some news about full frame Alpha products.
It only appears to be all about NEX because the Admin loves NEX news and doesn’t hear much about SLT.
Exactly, he doesn’t hear much about SLT (well fullframe SLT or SLR) because there is simply no news about this from Sony, and no actions.
The 500/F4 lens is the only news for Sony pro-amateur and pro shooters since a long time?
No actions? A38? A57? A600? A99? 500mm? I think that’s a fair amount of rumour that has been floating around for a while…
I said no action for fullframe / pro-shooter.
a38, a57,a600: that is not full frame.
A99: is a rumor ! There is no info or planned action about it ! (I hope it comes)
So 500mm is the only good news that pro shooters have had in a long time.
But the NEX news is also a rumour. I don’t quite understand why you expect anything more than rumour about the A99, Sony NEVER say anything official before a camera is announced.
Will they also announce the APS-C compact that you mentioned last week? The NEX without interchangable lens?
That would be the perfect camera to replace my old Powershot S90 🙂
Yes, I am waiting for more details on this camera.
I am intrigued by this APS-C fixed lens camera as well. Can’t wait to see what it looks like, it’s specifications and it’s price.
I’m in the same boat. Have S90 and would like something with better focusing, larger sensor, manual zoom control and better high iso performance. G1X has focusing issues (both slow in poor light and issues over having to remember to engage and disengage macro) but hopefully Sony will manage something good. Controls along the lines of the NEX7 (well at least two wheels – S90 has two), a lower res sensor and a short compact bright zoom would be ideal.
Sony should pay more attention to pro users. I’m not only one here (I hope) who doesn’t give a rat’s bum about new point and shoot cameras (and their lenses). Sony already let us down badly by postponing the FF release date. Hopefully the surprise will be something that benefits professional users. Just saying because my services have been rejected several times now after telling the customer that I use Sony DSLR 🙁
But your services will continue to be rejected even with a new Sony. You should be a Canon or Nikon user if clients are wanting that badge on the camera and you are losing money!
Interesting reply sa77. We were just talking about this the other day. It’s rare to see a Sony in a professional studio.
Actually I have seen more Sony’s in professional studios than Canons.
You must be unique then. I hardly see ANY Sony dSLR ANYWHERE on my travels!
you travel to professional studios? wow, what dedication..
I think the term “pro” is being used as meaning studio/wedding and while that’s true, “pro” also incorporates photo journalism and similar. My biggest concern when shooting in developing countries was the visual footprint of my Canon L gear. The Nex-7 (add a few pro lenses) is what i would use if i was documenting the uprising in Syria at the moment – small, black and discrete.
My clients hire me because of my images. When they ask me what the work is shot with, I tell them the truth- that it is all shot with a Sony A850, as well as a Canon 5dMkii (replaced), Canon 40D (long replaced), Nikon D70 (long long replaced)- They ask what I use now I always ask them if they can tell me which cameras took which pictures, and to pick out their favorites- they almost always pick out shots I’ve gotten with the A850 and Zeiss. If your clients are not hiring you because of your equipment, I hate to say it but I think there may be something missing in your images, or your clients are just fucking assholes.
I love educating anyone who comes my way while I’m covering an event with my Sony. They always ask WHY as if I lost a bet or that for some reason a Canikon was not available to me- and I give them a hefty list, let them hold the camera, look into the VF of the A850, and they shut right up and ask for my card.
Tell them to go tell the player at the plate what baseball bat to use!
Or the kicker he’s wearing the wrong shoes!
Or the….. O-you get my point
The clients that refused my services did not even look at what I had to offer after hearing I’m a Sonyman. So yea… a$$holes, but still clients. Perhaps they simply don’t have the slightest idea about what other (than Canikon) brands are capable of, but with this competition I don’t think a professional photographer can really afford to lose any customers.
hmm strange customers you got there jacky: as a customer i don’t care what tools a hired professional uses, i care about the result. It it is fine i pay , if it sucks i don’t . But the thought to tell a professional which tool/brand he has to use never crossed my mind .
*keeps fingers crossed for a fast 24-105mm E-mount, or 18-100, at least something near that range …
Why would they show a prototype of a full frame camera and have people potentially hold off on a camera they may have purchased without knowing it was coming? Not everyone is following roadmaps and such. I don’t think that’s happening
Which Sony camera would potential full frame users not buy?
They had the A77 prototype on show for a year or so!
please God! not again new camera´s, but give us more lenses!!!
Hoping the rumored Sony APS-C compact includes a Alpha-type hotshoe, so you can use your Sony/Minolta flashes on it.
Wish the HX200V could have had one-even though other brands like Fuji’s SL300 manages to include a Alpha type hotshoe (although they use a standard ISO one). Even the KM DiMAGE Z series superzooms had one back in the day, like my Z1.
More lenses would be welcome. Any details on the NEX camcorders?
The best part of Minolta throwing their hotshoe onto their bridge cameras is that you can get nice flashes for cheap. I got a sweet deal on a Dimage 7i bundled with the Minolta TTL ringflash.
well…I guess after March 13th if there is no OVF camera, many people will jump ship…make sure to sell your stuff very cheap =)
Already jumped before that, there’s not gonna be any OVF or FF or PRO or bright lenses, just nice pink, green and any color you want cameras, any color you want, with nice matching cases and some sort of revolutionary PS3 feature or Facebook/twitter feature, you’ll see…
Rooru, what are you looking to buy used?
Got a 300/2.8 you want to offload cheap?
looking for used lenses in very good shape at the lowest price possible. Even Minolta AF lenses is ok. if people is jumping ship, they want to get rid of their current equipment as soon as possible so they can get their hands on new stuff quickly.
Have you ever wondered why Sony are selling EVF cameras and not OVF?
Could it be the bloody obvious answer that EVF is selling better than their OVF cameras against Canon and Nikon? 😉
It is simple maths. If Sony sell more EVF cameras than the lost OVF sales, they will not care about people jumping ship as EVF users will replace them several times over.
Zeiss 50mm f1.4 and f1.2 patents were announced a while back. Is it too early to expect one of them for this upcoming announcement?
Oh they’ll probably announce the NEX-7N.
Sony just pushed my nex-7 shipment back a week. Not shipping until March 9th. First it was April 3, then March 2, then Feb 17, then March 2, now March 9. So stupid it’s funny. Better than April 3rd I guess.
Sony Compacts are nice, but I was hoping for a RAW shooter than might compete with the Canon G series.
Sony top performance was between 2006-2008 when they launced a700, a900, 2.8 trinities, 70-400G, 70-300G, 135, 85
After that….
ehhhmmmm
hmmmm
IMHO Sony top performance was in August 2011 with the launch of the NEX-7. All NEX, all the time.
Not really. I think the a77 was a bit of a flop. A good camera, but nothing mind-blowing, and a few stupid flaws ruined it. Awful jpeg processing, laggy menus (ridiculous in a £1000 camera), that tiny buffer etc. Not to mention that you haven’t been able to buy it for the last six months.
All the momentum has gone now. Nobody is excited about the a77 any more, and people are waiting for the d7000 and d300s replacements this year.
I’d be surprised if Sony turn a profit from the a77, and that’s quite unfortunate.
Eery new stock that appears is almost sold out in hours still. So it’s probably best not to generalize your own sentiments. And the buffer is pretty comparable to the 7D (much better when shooting raw+jpeg) according to Imaging Resource tests.
Sony A77 a flop. they are flying of the shelves and getting excellent magazine and Internet reviews.
Will this crop of new Cybershots this year tell us what Sony has in store for it’s future SLR/SLT products?
Sony.com
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“To improve focusing speed and sensitivity, the Exmor® R CMOS sensor uses its rapid throughput to deliver high-quality image signals to the camera’s BIONZ® processor. The result is fast, DSLR-like focusing speeds, even in low light”
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Is this a “new” super fast contrast-based AF? I wonder how well this performs and could it replace the current phase detect AF and translucent mirror some day?
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“The sensor enables advanced processing that reduces noise levels up to 6 times more than other sensors, resulting in stunning low light images with incredible details.”
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Is this related to a hybrid “pixel binning” technique that we have been discussing in the past week?
I wonder how well these cameras perform in low light and AF.
wonder if amazon have the correct price on the cybershot DSC-H90?
Hopefully there are a couple of prototypes, like the 24 and 36 megapixel camera.
Hey I was just wondering as I haven’t heard much on this topic… What on earth are Sony doing about the NEX 5N clicking issue on the new units? Can I expect Sony to announce a new batch that doesn’t have this issue or are Sony going to keep mainfcturing units with the same issue? I’m patiently waiting for them to do something about. Not just the fix that ‘reduces’ the click when you buy then send in the unit. I would just appreciate any knowledge anyone may have on this issue. I would go for the NEX 7 but it’s too expensive and I really like the touch screen as I’m use to my iPhone….thanks for your help peeps! 😀
Dre the clicking noise issue here in Germany is still present on some of the older batches but i got mine 2 weeks ago and it was from a no klick batch. The reseller also knew that and when i got home i could confirm it my self… was the 1st thing i did.
MORE LENSES PLEASE!!! and a 16-50 2.8 for the NEX.
100mp camera please.. even Nokia can make 41mp @ 1/1.2″ sensor.
By the way, B&H is shipping pre-odered Nex-7 kits today. Finally. Yaye!
NEX F(ixed lens)3 ??
I think that transitions behind revolutionary technologies with stable and established old ones are never easy.
That is why we see the lag between Sony’s Alpha vs NEX releases.
Unlike Canonikon who doesn’t have much to worry about..their mirrorless system if any, are crap anyways. So no one expects anything.
Why can’t people be pleased with the great camera’s that’s in their hands and wait patiently for a new model?
13 march it is !!!!
I’d like to see the 16MP sensor (lower noise, matched with E-mount lenses performance) in NEX 7 body (Tri-Nav). Am I the only one?
The only clear benefit of that sensor is how it performs with wider angle legacy glass in a NEX and smaller files….
while i hope for a A600 i know holding breath jsut makes me blue. i feel that since i came form sony P&S i will run my A330 and maybe pick up an A580 used but then hope/plan on the swap to a NAX body (if i cant ahve an OVF i ll go back to shooting from tyhe back screen like i did with my cybershots no OVF/EVF needed )
Hmmm – with my daughter ‘n law essentially in full possession of my older Sony bridge camera been thinking about a new one for the times when I use one. HX200V would be a good way to see what Sony is going to feature in it’s FF cameras. That’s the level where they seem to be developing new features to later put in the SLT. And of course there is that long tele it’s got.
I really hope the a77 firmware update will fix the darn external microphone issue that I and tons of other people have been having.
Just fix the AEB (add a wider range) – at least for the a77. Oh God, please.